Month: September 2014

“One must always be careful of books,” said Tessa, “and what is inside them, for words have the power to change us.” ~ Cassandra Clare

Write about what happens when someone is so influenced by a fictional book that their life is turned inside out. Describe what book they read. How did they change internally? What changes did their friends and family witness?

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“Bullying builds character like nuclear waste creates superheroes. It’s a rare occurrence and often does much more damage than endowment.” ~ Zack W. Van

What if being bullied could actually give the victim a superpower? What would the victim’s superpower be? Would they use their power for good or evil? Would they use this power to become a vigilante against bullies?

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“You don’t really understand an antagonist until you understand why he’s a protagonist in his own version of the world” ~John Rogers

Think about the last book you read, focus on the antagonist for a moment. What would happen if the antagonist became real and somehow integrated into a part of your life? How would you relate to this person? In the book, did the author write the character in a way that helped you empathize with them at all? In your story would this character evolve in a good or bad way?

Madison Andrews can’t face her reflection in the mirror. All she sees is a big, fat nobody. Yet, deep inside she longs for something more, something that’s not skin deep.

Along comes Zach, the new guy in school. He’s smoking hot and totally out of her league. She somehow catches his eye, and he makes her feel beautiful for once. But just as she gets close to Zach, her nerdy best friend, Chase, won’t let Madison doubt her true beauty, no matter how many meals she skips.

Even as Madison begins to realize that she is more than she thinks, darker forces are at work, darker than the lies and mocking from her peers, stopping her from amounting to her full potential. Can Madison find true happiness in her own skin?

Earlier this week, I was fortunate enough to sit down with one of my favorite guys, Zach Taylor, from Entertaining Angels, and today, I get to talk to my other two favorite characters, Madison Andrews and Chase Sanders! They’re absolutely the best, and I hope you’ll love them as much as I do!

Chase and Madison are sitting on a sofa together. Mads has her arms wrapped around her waist, and Chase is glancing in her direction, watching her closely like she is at risk for falling apart any second. Did I mention how much I love Chase? Probably not, but he’s probably one of the sweetest guys you’ll ever meet! He protects Madison from others who bully her and even from herself.

Chase: Are we ready to start this? I’m supposed to meet with Andy. We just got the newest release –

Madison: Really, Chase? You knew you had to do this interview. Her voice is light and playful, and she giggles.

Chase: Yeah, but Andy’s waiting and –

Madison: Andy and the newest game can wait, Chase. Emerald wants to talk to us.

Emerald: It won’t take long. I promise, Chase. You’ll be gaming with your best friend soon enough.

Chase: Mads is my best friend.

Madison smiles shyly, and Chase pushes his glasses up on his nose as he watches me. I suppress a smile.

Emerald: I’m sorry. I should have been more careful with my words. How about we start with you, Chase? Why don’t you introduce yourself to Belinda’s readers! Speaking of which, thank you so much for hosting us today!

Chase:He pushes his hand through his brown hair, messing it up. Madison giggles quietly beside him, and even I can’t help but smile at his little nervous habit. I’m Chase. I’m a sophomore in high school, and I like to game, if you can’t tell. I’m a nerd and proud of it. Although, I think Mads thinks it’s weird. He elbows her in the side.

Madison: I don’t think it’s weird.

Chase: You’re not into like I am.

Madison: That doesn’t mean I think it’s weird. I watch those sci-fi movies and stuff with you.

Chase: Yeah, but you don’t like it.

Madison: Come on, Chase, I’m with you. It doesn’t really matter whether it’s weird to me or not. I just like hanging out with you.

Chase: Well, okay then. He pushes his hand through is hair again; he looks a bit perplexed.

Emerald: Well, Madison, what about you?

Madison: I’m a sophomore, too. I’m – um – just me, I guess.

Emerald: Well, what about you? What do you like to do for fun?

Madison: I’m not all that interesting. I really don’t do much. She lowers her head and looks at her pink Converse tennis shoes.

Chase: Of course you are interesting, Mads! We’re always having fun! Like this summer when we did nothing but veg out on the couch all summer. You were always making me laugh and smile.

Madison:Still looking at her shoes. I guess. But, I don’t really go out much. Like Chase said, we mostly just hang out at his place or mine.

Emerald: That’s always fun, too. I smile, but they don’t really see me. Chase is watching Mads, and Mads is watching her shoes. So, Chase, you’re pretty protective of Mads. How did you feel when Ashley started teasing her about her weight?

Chase:His glare turns angry. She needs to learn to keep her opinion to herself and stop hurting people. I couldn’t believe the names that she called Mads, and she really needs to learn how to stop being so dang horrible!

Emerald Barnes graduated with a B.A. in English with an emphasis on Creative Writing at Mississippi University for Women. She resides in a small town in Mississippi and has the accent to prove it. She mainly writes suspense/thrillers in the YA genre, but she dabbles in other genres and her books are enjoyed by all ages!

She’s constantly working on new novels and has more ideas than she knows what to do with. She is a crazy grammar nazi who also proofreads novels!

She’s an auntie to three beautiful nieces and two handsome nephews. She’s a Whovian, a little bit of a nerd, a reader, a writer, and a family-oriented person. God is number one in her life, and she thanks Him continuously for His love and favor.

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“All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them.” ~Walt Disney

What is one thing you would try if you knew that you were guaranteed success….absolutely no chance of failure? Would you do something for monetary gain? Would you do something to make the history books? Would it benefit others or just yourself? What would it take for you to give it a shot, even with the risk of failing?

MaryAnn Kempher’s books will test your crime solving skills; with quirky characters and witty dialogue, her books will keep you guessing, and smiling until the very end.

Her books can be read out of order, but she recommends you start with her first, Mocha, Moonlight, and Murder which is a romantic mystery set in Reno NV, then Forever Doomed, which is a murder mystery set on a cruise ship.

Sweet Mystery is her most recent release and another “I did not see that coming.” murder mystery.